Clearly from the title you would assume that this will be about what seems my impossible journey through finding good health. Um no. Still trying to figure my way through that.
This is a tale of a mom trying to teach her children a valuable lesson that shouldn't have to be taught. "Your mommy is trying to be a reformed sinner from stealing." :)
I am one of those mom's who tells my children probably more than they need to know. Now I don't just offer it up but when questions and circumstances arise or I need to prepare them for the future I tell them. So yes they know mommy stole from work and while everything seems ok now I will have to suffer the consequences of my actions in the future. While I failed them and it is hard to get over that I find that them learning from this makes things a little easier.
So this tale goes to a movie date with my two nuggets. We went to a local store first to buy our M&Ms.
******now pause right there and let me say that yes I know we aren't suppose to sneak candy into a movie theater. Yet after spending $30 dollars on tickets and $27 on a med popcorn and three drinks; I think I have supported that entertainment industry. I don't understand why I can get two bags for $1.50 at any other store but to see Elsa sing "Let it go" it would cost me $4 each. Ugh. But I digress*****
So in our typical fashion this family is running late. And of course the two nuggets all of a sudden decided to veer away from the easy M&M choice and frantically decide between Airheads or skittles. I grab our usual two bags knowing once we get into the theater the previous choices will be regretted. (I was right of course.) So we pay and off we go. It isn't until we are walking into the movie theater that I realize the M&Ms aren't in the bag but rather in my purse already. I frantically realize that I didn't pay for them but stuck them in my purse. I let out a cry of frustration and my kiddos quickly take notice. I see concern, fear, and worry on those little faces. I explain to them what happened all the while adding petty larceny to my rap sheet.
Now these two sweet innocent kids immediately wanted to know what we were going to do to make this right. I tell them we will head back to the store as soon as the movie ends to pay for them and we will be ok. They asked if they called the police? They asked if we should tell the policeman standing outside the movie theater? They asked if we could just pay for them at the food counter and then they could send the payment to the store? Could you imagine the horror of that conversation? Lots of worry and I honestly don't know if they enjoyed the movie. As soon as the lights came on they immediately reminded me of our first errand.
We walk back into our local store and I explain the situation. The elderly lady behind the counter couldn't have been nicer. "Oh sweetie don't worry about it. You just coming back is too sweet. You don't have to pay for it." I stress to her that while we appreciate that we MOST definitely do have to pay for them. Then I give her that mother look. You know the one you share with other adults that explains "I am trying to teach my kids a lesson here. I need your help with this." Of course she understands my head nods and eye movement. But does she really as she eyes both of my kids wondering which one had the sticky fingers? I then scream in my head with more ferocious head nods and eye movements. "No lady I am doing this so they can see their mom is a reformed thief. I don't take things that don't belong to me anymore. I am rebuilding trust here lady. HELP ME!!!"
As we buckle into our seats Jocie says, " I am proud of you mommy and Jesus is too." I weep inside.
The small things after the really big things are just as important. Our kids soak everything in and they look for righteousness and change in us. We can't always preach without any action to follow. We can't force bedtime prayer but then not let them see us pray before meals. We can't yell at them to stop fighting with their siblings only to hear mommy and daddy throw down harsh words after they are tucked in. God is to be taught by living as an example of His love and a follower of His word all day and all night long.
I am one of those mom's who tells my children probably more than they need to know. Now I don't just offer it up but when questions and circumstances arise or I need to prepare them for the future I tell them. So yes they know mommy stole from work and while everything seems ok now I will have to suffer the consequences of my actions in the future. While I failed them and it is hard to get over that I find that them learning from this makes things a little easier.
So this tale goes to a movie date with my two nuggets. We went to a local store first to buy our M&Ms.
******now pause right there and let me say that yes I know we aren't suppose to sneak candy into a movie theater. Yet after spending $30 dollars on tickets and $27 on a med popcorn and three drinks; I think I have supported that entertainment industry. I don't understand why I can get two bags for $1.50 at any other store but to see Elsa sing "Let it go" it would cost me $4 each. Ugh. But I digress*****
So in our typical fashion this family is running late. And of course the two nuggets all of a sudden decided to veer away from the easy M&M choice and frantically decide between Airheads or skittles. I grab our usual two bags knowing once we get into the theater the previous choices will be regretted. (I was right of course.) So we pay and off we go. It isn't until we are walking into the movie theater that I realize the M&Ms aren't in the bag but rather in my purse already. I frantically realize that I didn't pay for them but stuck them in my purse. I let out a cry of frustration and my kiddos quickly take notice. I see concern, fear, and worry on those little faces. I explain to them what happened all the while adding petty larceny to my rap sheet.
Now these two sweet innocent kids immediately wanted to know what we were going to do to make this right. I tell them we will head back to the store as soon as the movie ends to pay for them and we will be ok. They asked if they called the police? They asked if we should tell the policeman standing outside the movie theater? They asked if we could just pay for them at the food counter and then they could send the payment to the store? Could you imagine the horror of that conversation? Lots of worry and I honestly don't know if they enjoyed the movie. As soon as the lights came on they immediately reminded me of our first errand.
We walk back into our local store and I explain the situation. The elderly lady behind the counter couldn't have been nicer. "Oh sweetie don't worry about it. You just coming back is too sweet. You don't have to pay for it." I stress to her that while we appreciate that we MOST definitely do have to pay for them. Then I give her that mother look. You know the one you share with other adults that explains "I am trying to teach my kids a lesson here. I need your help with this." Of course she understands my head nods and eye movement. But does she really as she eyes both of my kids wondering which one had the sticky fingers? I then scream in my head with more ferocious head nods and eye movements. "No lady I am doing this so they can see their mom is a reformed thief. I don't take things that don't belong to me anymore. I am rebuilding trust here lady. HELP ME!!!"
As we buckle into our seats Jocie says, " I am proud of you mommy and Jesus is too." I weep inside.
The small things after the really big things are just as important. Our kids soak everything in and they look for righteousness and change in us. We can't always preach without any action to follow. We can't force bedtime prayer but then not let them see us pray before meals. We can't yell at them to stop fighting with their siblings only to hear mommy and daddy throw down harsh words after they are tucked in. God is to be taught by living as an example of His love and a follower of His word all day and all night long.
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 6:7
With endless love,
Kristie
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